POSITION INFORMATION:

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

DUTY LOCATIONS:

WHO MAY APPLY:

Open to any U.S. Citizen, at least 16 years old, who is a student currently enrolled for the Spring 2014/Fall 2014 semesters in a degree or certificate-seeking program, taking at least a half-time course load. You also need to have at least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Not Applicable

SUPERVISORY STATUS:

No

JOB SUMMARY:

This announcement is for a Student Trainee (Administrative Support Assistant) position in the Office of the Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS/OAD) at the National Science Foundation (NSF). OAD is a small, dynamic office, overseeing the work of our five Divisions: Divisions of Astronomical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics, as well as the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities. The mission of MPS is to harness the collective efforts of the mathematical and physical sciences communities to address the most compelling scientific questions, educate the future advanced high-tech workforce, and promote discoveries to meet the needs of the Nation. The MPS Divisions support both disciplinary and interdisciplinary activities and partner with each other and with other NSF Directorates in order to effectively encourage basic research across the scientific disciplines. To learn more about MPS at the National Science Foundation, please visit: The Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

Positions will be filled using hiring authorities under the Pathways Programs.

The Internship Program provides students enrolled in high schools, colleges, trade schools and other qualifying educational institutions with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while completing their education. Veteran's Preference will be applied in filling positions under the Pathways Programs.

• Eligible students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited academic institution and maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher.

• Students can be hired for Internship positions at any time during the year.

• Students typically work part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer, winter, and spring vacations.

• Students will be on indefinite appointments during their period of eligibility under the Internship Program.

• Interns will be required to sign an agreement that outlines the parameters of the Internship Program during employment with NSF.

• The Internship Program allows students an opportunity to be converted non-competitively to a career-conditional or term position once the student completes all requirements of the Internship Program.

• Noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term position is not guaranteed. The Intern's eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that the agency will opt for conversion.

DUTIES:

General Office Support: Serves as main receptionist for Office of the Assistant Director. Receives visitors, screens phone calls, tracks correspondence and documents. Serves as a liaison with other NSF organizations in coordinating activities and meetings, and assists with managing calendars and scheduling appointments. Serves as primary timekeeper. Assists with preparation of purchase orders and requisitions.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes the following: using word processing software to prepare correspondence, responding to routine non-technical inquiries or other clerical or office support functions. OR Successfully completed four full years of education above high school level.

To qualify at the GS-6 level, you need to have:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes the following: using word processing software to prepare correspondence, reports and other document; track pending actions to ensure timely completion of work assignments; coordinating and making travel arrangements; responding to routine non-technical inquiries; and coordinating and handling logistical support for meetings.

To qualify at the GS-7 level, you need to have:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include the following: interpreting and applying regulations, policies and procedures to perform a variety of administrative support duties; developing and maintaining spreadsheets and other financial records; developing work tracking systems to ensure timely completion of work assignments; coordinating and making travel arrangements; composing/typing reports in final OR Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education OR eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision: Achievement of Baccalaureate and in the upper one-third of your graduating class or a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript, or based on courses completed during your final 2 years.

Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants may verify accreditation at the following website: Accreditation

Note: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that's part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.

Education may be substituted for experience as described in "Qualifications."

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date.

You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.

All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Category rating procedures will be used to rank and select eligibles. Based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire, you will be assigned a score. Your score will determine in which of three categories you will be placed: Excellent, Very Good, or Good. Under this process, veterans will be assigned to the appropriate category (without additional preference points) and then placed at the top of their category. Veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the highest quality category.

The information contained in your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you meet the competencies required of this position. Please ensure you answer all questions accurately. Your responses are subject to verification. In support of your responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, your resume should include verbiage that describes your experience relative to the position for which you are applying and provide examples that show the depth of knowledge, level of skill, or degree of ability you possess. If your application does not support your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire or your application is not complete, it may affect your evaluation or result in your name being removed from further consideration.

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO APPLY:

Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and/or uploaded before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide. If you do not have internet access or if you have questions, please contact the Human Resource Representative listed in the vacancy announcement.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You must submit all required documents at the time you complete your application or it will not receive further consideration.

• Please provide current transcripts that include your GPA (You MUST submit your unofficial college transcripts with your application. This office will be unable to determine qualification eligibility without transcripts. Applications without transcripts are incomplete applications and may be rated "INELIGIBLE". Transcripts will not be accepted after the closing date of this announcement.)

You must provide a copy of your DD-214, CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY, and you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

For 5-point veterans' preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.

For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation requested by this form.

At the time of application, if you choose not to upload the documents, you will be directed to a webpage which lists the available fax coversheets for any documents we require. (Veterans note: documents related to veteran's preference are requested only when you first register in NSF's eRecruit system.) Please print out the appropriate fax coversheet(s) and follow the instructions carefully.

All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).